Jess takes national post with Young Farmers

Jess Townson

Published:16:00Thursday 12 March 2015

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Ribble Valley Young Farmer Jess Townson has been elected as the new Vice-Chair of leading rural youth organisation the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs and is looking forward to expanding her local community work nationally.

Jess (25) grew up on a dairy farm in Gisburn and is a Chartered Building Surveyor at AJH Associates, Clitheroe. She has been a member of Bolton-by-Bowland Young Farmers’ Club for 10 years and held various roles within her club and county before becoming Northern Area Chairman in 2014 and now being elected to the national Vice-Chair post.

Commenting on her new role, she said: “I am delighted to have been elected as Vice-Chair of the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs – a position which is a great honour for me to hold. I am looking forward to getting to know more members across England and Wales and supporting them to make our organisation even stronger.”

The NFYFC’s annual national council elections took place at the Quality Hotel Coventry, on February 22nd, and Jess was voted into the role as Vice-Chair by fellow members from across England and Wales. As part of the top team who will head up the Federation’s 25,000 members, Jess will support the current NFYFC Chair Hannah Talbot in strengthening the organisation.

The aim is to encourage recruitment and retention of new members and celebrate what is great about YFCs working at the heart of their local communities.

Jess is no stranger to local community work as, along with Bolton-by-Bowland YFC, she regularly supports the village with activities such as an annual bonfire night and a Village Duck Race – with proceeds from refreshments being donated to charity.

YFCs have been a valuable social network for rural young people for more than 80 years and I am proud to be a part of an organisation with such heritage

Jess Townson, Vice-Chair of National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs

She added: “Young Farmers’ Clubs do a lot of great work in their local communities, as I am only too aware of from my connections with clubs in Lancashire and across the Northern region.

“I am now looking forward to promoting and championing our members’ activities on a national scale. YFCs have been a valuable social network for rural young people for more than 80 years and I am proud to be a part of an organisation with such heritage.”

More than 100 members gathered in Coventry during the weekend in February to pass motions that affect the running of the organisation and to elect the new council. The National Council is made up of 63 members, associate members and co-options from across England and Wales and is elected by YFC members to represent their views.